The Florida Education Association has joined the rapidly increasing number of organizations and districts to speak out in opposition to standardized testing.

The FEA urged for a "immediate halt to the misuse and abuse of testing" in a resolution released Wednesday, which urged the state to temporarily suspend the current testing methods and "high-stakes" consequences.

The resolution states: "Until autonomy is returned to local school districts to decide what is best for their student population and can develop a fair and accurate system of assessing student performance, the State of Florida must provide a legitimate process for parents and students to decline participation in these educationally unsound tests."

In a press release about the resolution, the FEA mentions the growing tensions in Lee County and the opt-out decision's "stunningly severe" backlash.

"Immediately we learned that high school students might not be allowed to graduate and state funding might be withheld," FEA President Andy Ford said. "It was even suggested that teachers who talk to students and/or parents about the opt-out controversy might be targeted for sanctions from the state against their teaching certificate."

The Duval County School Board is slated to vote on a similar resolution at its Oct. 7 meeting.

Palm Beach Schools voted Wednesday night to adopt a two-page resolution asking the state to grant a three-year suspension of School Grades to allow school districts to adjust to the new Florida Standards.